How do we known, the Andromeda galaxy goes to the ram of our Milky Way galaxy. The gas halos of both galaxies have already touched, although the first stars of the participants in this cosmic accident will begin to converge in about four billion years. In the past, this must have happened, which makes scientists look for traces of past “accidents”. Understanding the mechanics of the processes will help you find past collisions and predict the consequences of future ones.
Blowing off the shell of gas from the galactic nucleus as seen by the artist. Image source: Miki et al
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Calculation of scenarios for the behavior of galaxies in collision and after got busy scientists from the University of Tokyo. Previously, it was thought that collisions between galaxies would necessarily increase the activity of massive black holes at their centers. Massive black holes (MBHs) have been found in virtually all galactic nuclei, so their collision behavior will be a major factor in the process.
The Japanese decided to thoroughly study the consequences of galaxy collisions using mathematical models on supercomputers. After refined modeling, it turned out that in a number of scenarios the consequences of collisions of galaxies can be radically different.
In one case, one of the two colliding galaxies can blow off the matter around the MNH in the center of another galaxy and deprive it of food in the form of any matter, and in the other case, on the contrary, it can “throw up some firewood.” As a result, the MChD can either abruptly cease activity, or rapidly increase it. Astronomers are able to see both cases using X-ray observations and try to find confirmation of the models in practice.
Two scenarios for the behavior of a massive black hole in the galactic core: depletion (top) and activation (bottom row). Image source: Miki et al
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Note that scientists simulated a head-on collision of galaxies. If the galaxies only touch when passing nearby or the smaller one flies into the larger one, then this ends with the separation of a part of the stars and matter, which become native in the body of an alien galaxy. Such processes practically do not affect massive black holes in the core.
In any case, experts say, even a head-on collision of galaxies, which will end with their merger, is unlikely to lead to some kind of star catastrophe. Stars and planets will not collide en masse and without fail. It will be akin to the passage of one cloud through another. In this respect, nothing threatens our descendants.
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